Humans aren’t alone in their shows of affection on Valentine’s Day. And for one species, the search for love is sometimes a smelly affair.
Feb. 14, the day that American Homo sapiens devote to consuming cards and candies, happens to fall every year in the heart of the skunk mating season.
Eastern U.S. skunks breed from January through mid-March, and the Wildlife Center of Virginia is warning residents to be on the lookout for these mammals while driving at night or in the twilight hours this weekend.
Skunks leave their regular territories this time of year in search of love. Males can travel several miles each night. This increased activity increases the likelihood of them running into people or being run over while traversing roadways.
The Virginia skunk population is a healthy one. The animals live in areas from the mountains to the coast, and the state is home to two distinct subspecies.
The striped skunk is primarily found in the east and is by far the more numerous of the two varieties. On average, they are about 2 feet long.
The Eastern spotted skunk is about half the size of the striped skunk. They are more often found in the state’s western regions, if they can be found at all.
“There’s only been one that has come into the center during my time and that’s out of probably 10,000 animals that I’ve seen come through our doors,” said Connor Gillespie, spokesperson for Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro.
Both varieties of skunks can spray a noxious secretion toward predators and to ward off perceived threats. If hit, the spray’s foul odor is difficult to deodorize.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia is warning residents to be on the lookout for skunks as they are more active during their mating season between January and mid-March. (Wildlife Center of Virginia)
“Unless it’s like an expensive piece of clothing or something that really is sentimental,” Gillespie said. “I always say for clothing, it’s easier just to get rid of it.”
Skunks are able to accurately aim their spray for a distance of about 15 feet, starting when they’re around 4 months old.
For skin contacted by skunk spray, the wildlife center recommends washing the area with a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and liquid soap.
Skunks raise their young — called kits — in burrows and can be found under porches, other structures or inside crawl spaces.
Instructions on how to humanely prevent a skunk from moving into your home or onto your properties can be found at wildlifecenter.org.
“It’s a lot easier to prevent it now than having to deal with the situation, once a skunk has already moved in.”
Colin Warren-Hicks, 919-818-8139, colin.warrenhicks@virginiamedia.com
